Is this writers block?

[spyndleshanks]

I have a reoccuring problem and I need some help. I get these great ideas (well, I think they're great ;D) for novels. I then manage to construct elaborate plots, detailed charaters, and even delve into plot twists. I then create landscapes, if relevant. Then when it comes to the actual writing I seem to lose interest. I get about 2000 words in, get bored, and start planning something else. I literally have desk drawers full of plans for stories, but no actual stories.
Help!
Stranger still, this only seems to happen with fiction. I can rattle off non-fiction without any of this bother.
Help help!

[Kim Wilkins]

Hi Amanda

I don't think this is writers' block. I think the problem is that you spend so much time planning that you run out of steam when you come to write! I don't think it matters too much, as you will eventually strike an idea that you love so much you'll find the dedication to follow it through. I can recommend setting daily goals though, if you think it might help.

Kim

[spyndleshanks]

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the advice. I think I need to set some goals. Once the planning is over I tend to look at the screen and think it should all unfold like magic. I think I'm expecting entirely too much of my screen. And I do get obsessed with planning - it's almost like I'm afraid to write anything until I know exactly who the characters are, what their names are, what their background are etc. I just need to loosen up a bit.

[wendy]

Hi spyndleshanks. I looked for your email but it is hidden, so I will post here. I have the opposite problem to you, I write like a fiend, words pouring from me, but never with any structure or purpose. I love stories so much, and think that part of a great story IS that it have a coherent plot and take the reader somewhere interesting (besides aimless ramblings) and I must confess, hearing of the story plans hidden away in your drawers drives me to a curious sort of envy. I was wondering if you have any plans you would be willing to share with me so that I could write it up. I think it would be fun for me, and perhaps I could start with one of your story plans that you know you won't return to. I would be totally cricket about it all, and never claim the work as soley my own.

If you are interested please email me at [e-mail] I can send you some writing samples if you like and stuff.

Cheers
wendy

[spyndleshanks]

Thanks for the offer of help Wendy, or collaboration I should say! But unfortunately when it comes to my own ideas I'm really possessive and don't exactly shine when I work with others - not a real team player. I really do appreciate the offer but I know I don't work well with others so it's for the best if I stay solo.

I've managed to write 3000 words for a short story without shelving it so maybe I'm cured!

Good luck with your writing though

[wendy]

no worries spyndleshanks, thanks for your response, I thought it was worth asking heh good luck with your writing too.

-wendy

[spyndleshanks]

Thanks wendy

[BlackRibbon]

I used to have the same problem! Gosh, I'd either have ideas for a fantasy world, but no plot, or the most incredible plot but not much else. And I've always had trouble just starting an idea, or beginning another chapter. But really, the best thing to do is just sit down and write the goddamn thing instead of procrastinating (a favoured hobby ).

Yeah, so my advice is if you're having trouble you just really have to commit to it. And if you find yourself getting bored, or losing interest, you can either drop it or just find something in it that renews that initial interest. Once you get started it can become so much easier.

[spyndleshanks]

Thanks for the advice, I really do need to rediscover my original passion for my idea.

[Faye]

I've found that setting yourself a minumum daily word count helps - and if you're having trouble, make it something that's really easily achievable, like 500 words or so. It's surprising how well your ideas develop when you get them going.

[spyndleshanks]

I've done just that, set a daily word count of 500. Currently I'm only up to 1000, but at least it's a start!

By the way, what is the average length of a novel? I really have no idea.

[Faye]

Everyone I ask seems to have a different answer there, but somewhere between 70,000 and 100,000 is supposed to be standard, especially for first novels. Of course, this isn't a reliable number - all of Kim's books (including The Infernal) are over 100,000 words in length.

[spyndleshanks]

I think I'll aim for 100,000. It may be a bit optimistic considering I'm only at 5,000 but I'm trying to be positive.

[Faye]

It's amazing how quickly it grow using the 500w/day technique, though. That's another 1,000 every other day - and that's assuming you only do 500 a day, which, once you've got going, you'll manage to exceed on most days.

Get one of these little doodads to monitor your progress - www.zokutou.co.uk/wordmeter/ - I've got one that lives on my LJ.

[spyndleshanks]

I think I might need to get a little word metre/(meter?).

I managed to almost hit 9000 words before I got sick with a yucky migraine. I think I need to ease back in gently. I don't want to put this one on the shelf.